Counter unmanned aerial system with navigation data to intercept and/or disable an unmanned aerial vehicle threat

ABSTRACT

A system for providing integrated detection and countermeasures against unmanned aerial vehicles include a detecting element, a location determining element and an interdiction element. The detecting element detects an unmanned aerial vehicle in flight in the region of, or approaching, a property, place, event or very important person. The location determining element determines the exact location of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The interdiction element can either direct the unmanned aerial vehicle away from the property, place, event or very important person in a non-destructive manner, or can cause disable the unmanned aerial vehicle in a destructive manner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/001,254 filed Aug. 24, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. ______, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/362,285, filed Mar.22, 2019; now U.S. Pat. No. 10,795,010, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/967,291, filed Apr. 30, 2018, now U.S.Pat. No. 10,281,570; which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/598,112, filed May 17, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,977,117;which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/821,907,filed Aug. 10, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,689,976; which claims benefitof U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/094,154, filed Dec. 19, 2014. Thedisclosures of the prior applications are incorporated herein in theirentirety by reference.

FIELD

The technology herein relates to an integrated detection andcountermeasure solution against unmanned aerial systems, which arecommonly referred to as drones.

BACKGROUND

Unmanned aerial systems, which are commonly referred to as drones, havebecome commercially available to the general public. While there may bemany safe commercial and recreational uses for unmanned aerial systemsthese devices may potentially pose hazards to commercial and generalaviation, the public, and private and government property if improperlyoperated. Furthermore, unmanned aerial systems may be used to violatethe privacy of personal, commercial, educational, athletic,entertainment and governmental activities. Most unfortunately unmannedaerial systems may potentially be used in the furtherance of invadingprivacy, or carrying out terrorist and/or criminal activities. There isa need for a device and method of detecting the approach of an unmannedaerial system towards a location where personal, public, commercial,educational, athletic, entertainment and governmental activities occurand where an unmanned aerial system could potentially be used forinvading privacy, or carrying out terrorist and criminal activities. Thetechnology herein provides an integrated detection and countermeasuresolution against unmanned aerial systems and offers increased security,privacy, and protection from the threats of violence involving smallunmanned aerial vehicles/systems (sUAS) and is applicable togovernmental, commercial, private, and public concerns.

SUMMARY

There is provided in accordance with the present technology a systemthat detects, identifies, tracks, deters and or interdicts smallunmanned aerial vehicles/systems (sUAS) from ground level to severalthousand feet above ground level. The system disclosed herein is anintegrated solution comprising components using: existing technology fora new use; multiplexing hardware components designed for thisapplication; and development of the integrating software whichcalculates the exact x, y, z coordinates of the subject sUAS; subjectsUAS RF signal analysis to determine the most appropriate RF signalcharacteristics to affect the subject sUAS; precision alignment of highdefinition electro-optical (EO) sensors and infrared (IR) sensors andimage recognition algorithms providing confirmation that the subjectsUAS is in violation of airspace authorization. The integration of thesecomponents via the herein disclosed combination of software and hardwareis novel, not related to existing art in purpose, is non-obvious, andprovides a useful solution to uninvited, invasive and potentiallyhazardous sUAS operations.

The system provides an integrated and diversified solution that can bedeployed as a “permanent placement” or mobile system on land, sea, orair platform.

The system may be strategically deployed to monitor the airspace arounda protected interest such as a property, place, event or very importantperson (VIP) offering 360-degree azimuth coverage extending from thereceiving antennae of the system out to a maximum lateral distance ofabout 2 kilometers (6560 feet) and within the lateral boundaries up to amaximum altitude of about 1.5 kilometers (4920 feet) above ground level(AGL).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the components and function ofan integrated detection and countermeasure system for use againstunmanned aerial systems.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a countermeasure andinterdiction to UAS system of the integrated detection andcountermeasure system for use against unmanned aerial systems, 44 ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the Radio Frequency (RF)detection system of the integrated detection and countermeasure systemfor use against unmanned aerial systems, 44 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the Radar detection system andElectro Optical and Infer Red (EO/IR) detection system of the integrateddetection and countermeasure system for use against unmanned aerialsystems, 44 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Part Numbers

-   -   10 Transmitting multi band high gain directional antenna array        with vertical polarity    -   12 Receive directional antenna array    -   14 Receive Omni antenna array    -   16 EO/IR (Electro Optical/Infra Red) sensor    -   18 Automatic antenna alignment assembly    -   20 Multi-band LNA assembly    -   22 Automatic antenna alignment assembly    -   24 High fidelity RF receivers/host work station CPU    -   26 Azimuth and elevation vector coordinate data processor    -   28 Empower 1189-BBM3 wideband HPA assembly    -   30 Receive blanking    -   32 Direction detect and range estimation    -   34 Key sight N9310A RF signal generator with multiple modulation        sources    -   36 Spectral signals detect and type identification    -   38 ECM modulation type select    -   40 Frequency and waveform parameters    -   42 Modulation database    -   43 Commercial 4k X band radar    -   44 Subject UAS (Unmanned Aerial System)    -   45 Radar clutter and target filter processor    -   46 Azimuth and elevation vector coordinate data processor    -   99 System power and status monitor    -   100 Entire system    -   102 Countermeasure and deterrent section of entire system    -   103 Radio Frequency (RF) detection section of entire system    -   104 Radar detection section of entire system    -   105 Electro Optical and Infer Red (EO/IR) detection section of        entire system

Glossary

As used herein and in the claims each of the terms defined in thisglossary is understood to have the meaning set forth in this glossary.

Algorithm—a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations orother problem-solving operations by a computer

Automatic Antenna Alignment Assembly—designated as 18 in FIGS. 1, 2 and3, and as 22 in FIGS. 1 and 4, is specialized electronic equipmentspecifically designed to automatically point the directional antennaeand or camera, laser systems to the desired location, namely a smallunmanned aerial vehicles/systems (sUAS) designated as a target 44 inFIG. 1, based on longitude and or latitude information gained orreceived by the receiving antennae, designated as 12 and 14 in FIGS. 1and 3, and or radar antennae designated as 43 in FIGS. 1 and 4; thisspecialized equipment can be purchased from and is proprietary toEnrGies Engineering located in Huntsville, Ala.

Azimuth and Elevation Vector Coordinate Data—designated as 26 in FIGS. 1and 4, is specialized algorithm software that has been developed to beused with a spherical coordinate system for three-dimensional spacewhere three numbers specify the position of a point measured inlatitude, longitude and elevation obtained from an EO/IR Sensordesignated as 16 in FIGS. 1 and 4 that includes a Laser Range Finder,and/or Radar designated as 43 in FIGS. 1 and 4

Blanking—designated as 30 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 is the time between thelast radio transmitting signal and the beginning of the next radiotransmitting signal

C2 Communications—Command and Control Communications links

Commercial—relating to or engaged in commerce (i.e. NON-military)

Counter—to offer in response or act in opposition

CUASs2—Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems of Systems, the system used todetect, identify and deter or interdict unmanned aerial vehicles orsystems

Directional Antenna—designated as 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2, and 12 in FIGS. 1and 3, a class of directional or beam antenna that radiates greaterpower in one or more directions allowing for increased performance ontransmits and receives and reduced interference from unwanted sources

Direction Detection and Range Estimation—designated as 32 in FIGS. 1-4,is specialized algorithm software that has been developed to detect asuspected target or signal of interest and calculated to obtain theazimuth and distance to that target or signal of interest based on dataobtained by the Radio Frequency (RF) detection section 103 in FIG. 3,the Radar detection section 104 in FIG. 4, and the Electro Optical andInfer Red (EO/IR) detection section 105 in FIG. 4

DF—designated as 12 in FIGS. 1 and 3, Direction Finding refers to themeasurement of the direction from which a received signal wastransmitted, this can refer to radio or other forms of wirelesscommunication

Drone—designated as 44 in FIG. 1, refers to an unmanned aircraftoperated by remote control, allows for human correction (i.e.semi-autonomous), or autonomous, see also UAV, UAS, sUAS, RPA

EAR—Export Administration Regulations are regulations that areadministered by the United States Department of Commerce and regulatethe export of “dual use” items; technology designed for commercialpurposes and with potential military applications, such as computers,software, aircraft, and pathogens as well the re-export of items

Electro-Optical and Infrared Sensors—designated as 16 in FIGS. 1 and 4,is a combination of a standard high definition video camera capable ofviewing in daylight conditions and an infrared video camera capable ofviewing in the infrared light perspective; both camera systems can bepurchased “Off-The-Shelf” as common technology, one common manufacturerof this type of camera systems is FLIR Systems

Electronic Counter Measure (ECM) Modulation Type Select—designated as 38in FIGS. 1-3 is specialized algorithm software that has been developedto help narrow down the radio frequency identified by a modulationlookup table (defined in this glossary) of the specific unmanned aerialvehicle/system of interest, designated as a target 44 in FIG. 1,utilizing a database library that was created and categorized with thespecific radio frequencies common to all unmanned aerialvehicles/systems

Emitter—to send or give out a matter of energy

EO—Electro-Optics is a branch of electrical engineering and materialsscience involving components, devices and systems that operate bymodification of the optical properties of a material by an electricfield, thus it concerns the interaction between the electromagnetic(optical) and the electrical (electronic) states of materials

Frequency—the rate at which a vibration occurs that constitutes a wave,either in a material (as in sound waves), or in an electromagnetic field(as in radio waves and light), usually measured per second

Frequency and Waveform Parameters—designated as 40 in FIGS. 1-3, Isspecialized algorithm software that has been developed to identifyunmanned aerial vehicles/systems utilizing a database library that wascreated and categorized with the specific radio frequency waveformcommon to all unmanned aerial vehicles/systems

IR—infrared is invisible (to the human eye) radiant energy,electromagnetic radiation with longer wavelengths than those of visiblelight, extending from the nominal red edge of the visible spectrum at700 nanometers (frequency 430 THz) to 1 mm (300 GHz)

ISR—Intelligence; Surveillance, Reconnaissance is an activity thatsynchronizes and integrates the planning and operation of sensors,assets, and processing, exploitation, and dissemination systems indirect support of current and future operations

ITAR—International Traffic in Arms Regulations is a set of United Statesgovernment regulations that control the export and import ofdefense-related articles and services on the United States MunitionsList (USML)

Jam or Jammed or Jammers or Jamming—to interfere with or prevent theclear reception of broadcast signals by electronic means to becomeunworkable or to make unintelligible by sending out interfering signalsby any means

Laser—a device that emits light through a process of opticalamplification based on the stimulated emission of electromagneticradiation

Laser Range Finder—designated as 16 in FIGS. 1 and 4, is a rangefinderwhich uses a laser beam, usually pulsed, to determine the distance to anobject

LED—Light-Emitting Diode is a semiconductor device that emits visiblelight when an electric current passes through it

Matrix—an environment in which something develops

Matrix Directional Transmit Antenna Array—designated as 10 in FIGS. 1and 2, Is a signal processing technique used in sensor (Antenna) arraysfor directional signal transmission; this is achieved by combiningelements in a phased array in such a way that signals at particularangles experience constructive interference while others experiencedestructive interference; his equipment can be purchased “Off-The-Shelf”and one common manufacturer of this type of equipment is Motorola

Mobile Platform (MP)—the mobile Counter Unmanned Aerial System ofSystems equipment installed on any vehicle with the intent to move fromone location to another location as needed to fulfill a short-term needin the detection, identification and deterrence or interdiction of anunmanned aerial vehicle

Modulation—the process of varying one or more properties of a periodicwaveform, called the carrier signal, with a modulating signal thattypically contains information to be transmitted

Modulation Function Generation—designated as 34 in FIGS. 1-3, Isspecialized algorithm software that has been developed to transmit (Jam)a specific radio frequency, designated by 38 in FIGS. 1-3 and 42 inFIGS. 1 and 3, which is unique to a specific unmanned aerialvehicles/systems utilizing a database library that was created andcategorized with the specific radio frequencies used on all commonunmanned aerial vehicles/systems

Modulation Lookup Table—designated as 42 in FIGS. 1 and 3, isspecialized algorithm software that has been developed to identify thebroad range of radio frequencies being used by a specific unmannedaerial vehicle/system of interest, designated as a target 44 in FIG. 1,utilizing a database library that was created and categorized with thespecific radio frequencies common to all unmanned aerialvehicles/systems

Multi-Band—a communication device that supports multiple radio frequencybands

Multiband Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) Assembly—designated as 20 in FIGS. 1and 3, is a multi-radio frequency electronic amplifier used to amplifypossibly very weak signals, for example captured by an antenna

Omni-directional Antenna—designated as 14 in FIGS. 1 and 3, a class ofantenna which receives or transmits radio wave power uniformly in alldirections in one plane, with the radiated power decreasing withelevation angle above or below the plane, dropping to zero on theantenna's axis

OTS—Off The Shelf refers to materials or equipment that currently existsand is readily available for purchased or use

Permanent Platform (PP)—the installation of the Counter Unmanned AerialSystem of Systems equipment at a specific location to fulfill along-term need in the detection, identification and deterrence orinterdiction of an unmanned aerial vehicle

Pulse—a single vibration or short burst of sound, electric current,light, or other wave

RPA—Remotely Piloted Aircraft, aka UAV, UAS

RF—Radio Frequency is a rate of oscillation in the range of around 3 kHzto 300 GHz, which corresponds to the frequency of radio waves, and thealternating currents that carry radio signals

Receive Blanking—designated as 30 in FIGS. 1-3, is specialized algorithmsoftware that has been developed to stop the receiving antennae,designated as 12 and 14 in FIGS. 1 and 3, from receiving radio frequencysignals during the time that the counter measure transmitting frequency,designated as 34 in FIGS. 1-3, is being transmitted by directionaltransmitting antennae, designated as 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2, for thepurpose of deterrence or interdiction of the suspect unmanned aerialvehicle/system, designated as a target 44 in FIG. 1, identified as aknown threat

Receive Directional Antenna Array—designated as 12 in FIGS. 1 and 3,refers to multiple receiving antennae arranged such that thesuperposition of the electromagnetic waves is a predictableelectromagnetic field and that the currents running through them are ofdifferent amplitudes and phases; this equipment can be purchased“Off-The-Shelf” and one common manufacturer of this type of equipment isMotorola

Receive Omni Antenna Array—designated as 14 in FIGS. 1 and 3, is a classof antenna that receives radio wave power uniformly in all directions inone plane; this equipment can be purchased “Off-The-Shelf” and onecommon manufacturer of this type of equipment is Motorola

STC—Slew To Cue, the autonomous actions of electronic, radio or opticalsensors to rotate using an automatic antenna alignment assemblydesignated as 18 in FIGS. 1-3, and 22 in FIGS. 1 and 4 to move and pointcameras 16 in FIGS. 1 and 4 and countermeasures 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2 inthe direction of a suspect target 44 in FIG. 1, based on input from dataprocessed by components 26 in FIGS. 1 and 4, and 46 in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4,thus, keeping the “cued” targets in view at all times with or withouthuman intervention

Spectral Signal—designated as 36 in FIGS. 1 and 3, the frequencyspectrum of a time-domain signal is a representation of that signal inthe frequency domain

Spectral Signal Detection and Type Identification—designated as 36 inFIGS. 1 and 3, is specialized algorithm software that has been developedto detect and identify unmanned aerial vehicles/systems utilizing adatabase library that was created and categorized with the spectralsignatures common to all unmanned aerial vehicles/systems

sUAS—designated as 44 in FIG. 1 small Unmanned Aerial System, usuallyweighing less than 20 kg or 55 lbs.

Target—designated as 44 in FIG. 1, something or someone of interest tobe affected by an action or development

Target Tracking Log—a graphic or table of coordinates documenting thetarget's path in space during area of concern

Technology—the application of science, especially to industrial orcommercial objectives

Threat—a declaration or an act of an intention or determination toinflict the destruction of property or harm, punishment, injury or deathof person(s)

UAS—designated as 44 in FIG. 1, Unmanned Aerial System, UnmannedAircraft System (aka UAV, RPA)

UAV—designated as 44 in FIG. 1, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, UnmannedAircraft Vehicle (aka UAS, RPA)

Uplink—the part of a network connection used to send, or upload, datafrom one device to a remote device

Uplink Video/Radio Transmitter Assembly—designated as 28 in FIGS. 1 and2, is a device that will take the received radio or video frequencyinformation from database libraries designated as 36 in FIGS. 1 and 3,40 in FIGS. 1-3, and 42 in FIGS. 1 and 3 and send it through a radioamplifier designated as 34 in FIGS. 1-3 to a transmitting directionalantenna or matrix directional transmit antenna array designated as 10 inFIGS. 1 and 2; this equipment can be purchased “Off-The-Shelf” and onecommon manufacturer of this type of equipment is Motorola

Uplink/Video Standard Definition (SD) Receiver & HostWorkstation—designated as 24 in FIGS. 1 and 3, is a connection from theantennae to the video encoder where the information is processed by themain computer network; the uplink equipment can be purchased“Off-The-Shelf” and one common manufacturer of this type of equipment isCisco Systems; the video receiver and main computer is also“Off-The-Shelf” technology and are readily available from numerousmanufacturers

Vector—a quantity having direction as well as magnitude, especially asdetermining the position of one point in space relative to another

Watt—the system unit of power, equivalent to one joule per second,corresponding to the power in an electric circuit in which the potentialdifference is one volt and the current one ampere

Waveform—a graphic representation of the shape of a wave that indicatesits characteristics as frequency and amplitude

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 there are shown schematic representations of thecomponents and function of an integrated detection and countermeasuresystem 100 for use against unmanned aerial systems 44. A first functionof the system is locating and identifying a UAS target. The technologyherein provides integrated detection sections 103-105 anddeterrent/countermeasure section 102 against small unmanned aerialvehicles/systems (sUAS), which are commonly referred to as drones, inthe vicinity of, or approaching the vicinity of a property, place, eventor very important person (VIP). All sUAS's have a distinct set ofspectral signatures (sound, heat, radar cross section, radio frequencywave pattern) detected by a spectral signal identifier processor 36.This fact is the basis for the detection sections 103-105 of the system100 and sections 103-105 is the first function of the system. Using aproven high-end direction finding (DF) high fidelity RF receiver 24coupled with omnidirectional and directional antennae 12, 14 and uniquecreated software of the system when the RF signature of the sUAS flyingwithin the system's detection boundaries is detected, for example withinmaximum lateral distance of about 2 kilometers (6560 feet) and withinthe aerial boundaries up to a maximum altitude of about 1.5 kilometers(4920 feet) above ground level (AGL). This element of the system may beaugmented and is shown with additional signature detection elementsconsisting of acoustic and/or radar sensors 43 and electro opticalsensors 16. These elements operate with unique software translatingdiscernable signatures into coherent data aiding in the detection andlocation process. All signature data is then processed to generate areference azimuth and elevation 26, 46 from the sensor to the subjectsUAS 44. The information generated by the systems detection section isthen passed electronically to the direction and range estimationprocessor 32 to yield a target's location. The system 100 uses thehardware and software of the Radio Frequency (RF) detection section 103to identify the type of sUAS and the associated known and observed radiofrequencies signatures required for the sUAS communications and videodata exchange.

A second function of the system is providing countermeasures againstsUAS that is determined to be a threat in or approaching the vicinity ofa property, place, event or VIP. Azimuthal data for a sUAS is determinedby the detection section 103-105 of the system. The system's controlsoftware/hardware provides this information to the integratedElectro-Optical (EO) and Infrared (IR) sensor 16 which autonomouslycenters the field of regard of the EO/IR sensor to the known location ofthe subject sUAS 44. When the visual identification is confirmed to be asUAS; by either video analytics or human verification, the system ofsoftware/hardware will then determine the precise x, y, z coordinates(x=longitude, y=latitude, z=altitude) of the sUAS. This precise locationand range information is provided to the countermeasure and deterrentsection 102 of the system 100. Using this data the countermeasure anddeterrent section 102 computes the RF spectral characteristics that willnullify signals that the sUAS expects to receive. A signal generator 34produces a tailored signal and a variable strength amplifier 28generates the output power required; causing the desired effect at thedesired range to the subject sUAS 44. The countermeasure and deterrentsection 102 broadcasts the unique generated RF waveform using highlydirectional and focused antennae 10. The system uses Blanking 30 at thetime between the last radio transmitting signal and the beginning of thenext radio-transmitting signal of the transmitted signal in accordancewith the frequency and waveform parameters 40 to avoid negative internaleffects to system 103. The system then disables the sUAS sensors, orcauses the sUAS navigation system to malfunction due to communicationinterference causing most sUAS to enter a “Fail Safe Mode” (either landimmediately or return to the launch point). This action is sUAS specificand is based on the manufacturer design and sUAS operationalcapabilities.

The interdict element of a system interdicts the operation of an sUASinitially in a non-destructive manner, increasing to a destructivemanner based on the response of the target sUAS. A system may interdictthe operation of a sUAS in a non-destructive manner by transmitting aconcentrated Radio Frequency (RF) emission tuned to the specific sUAScharacteristics identified by the spectral analysis during the detectionprocess. These RF waveforms are then used to disrupt the expected inputsto the onboard controller of the identified sUAS. The video downlinksignal is the initial target of the interdiction process. If thisinterruption is not sufficient to deter the sUAS, the RF transmitterwill be tuned to the appropriate control frequency to disrupt the sUASon-board electronics. These actions will cause most sUAS to enter theFail Safe Mode (either land immediately or return to the launch point).The technology herein considers the differences based on themanufacturer design and operational capabilities of the sUAS on acase-by-case basis and tailors the countermeasure/deterrent responseaccordingly.

The countermeasure and deterrent section 102 of the system 100interdicts the operation of an sUAS in a non-destructive manner by usingthe non-destructive technology described to generate a interdicttransmission signal that is significantly stronger than control signalsfrom an operator of the sUAS. This interdict transmission will havesignificantly higher gain (Stronger Signal) and target both the sensorand the control electronics of the sUAS. The interdiction process may beaugmented with electro-magnetic pulse technology, pulsed laser and isspecifically designed to accept other current or future counter-measuresused to defeat the sUAS' electronics, motors and or navigation systems.The effects of the higher gain radio transmission will cause amongstother effects, servo-chatter, resulting in the loss of control of thesUAS and disruption of most on-board electronic processes increasing theprobability of a forced landing. In addition, a counter sUAS can bedispatched with autonomous navigation data being supplied by the systemto locate and intentionally disable the opposing sUAS by flying into it,dropping a net on the threat, covering it with spray foam or liquid orcapturing the opposing sUAS.

The system will use direction finding (DF) equipment 12, 16 to searchfor the radio communications link of an airborne sUAS 44, commonlyreferred to as a drone. Integrating multiple Direction Finding (DF)equipment 26, 46 to the system will increase the precision in obtainingthe azimuth that the sUAS is flying. Integrating radar equipment 43provided with a radar clutter and target filter processor 45, with thedirection finding (DF) equipment will provide the ability to determinewith greater accuracy the altitude and azimuth of the sUAS 44 at thetime of discovery and during the time it remains within the systemsdetection boundaries.

When the DF equipment 26, 46 has detected a communication link of a sUASwithin the system boundaries, the receive host workstation 24 willanalyze the radio frequency wave signature and confirm that the RFdetected is from a sUAS. This process also applies when a radar unit 43is integrated with the DF equipment.

The information obtained from DF 26, 46 and or radar unit 43 is thensent to the direction detect and range estimation unit 32 wherealgorithms will be used to send sUAS location coordinates to theAutomatic Antenna Alignment Assembly (A4) 22, 18. Put another way, usingSlew To Cue, the autonomous actions of electronic, radio or opticalsensors to rotate using an automatic antenna alignment assembly 18, 22to move and point cameras 16 and countermeasures in the direction of asuspect target 44 based on input from data processed by the azimuth andelevation unit 26 46, thus, keeping the “cued” targets in view at alltimes with or without human intervention. This information will thendirect the Automatic Antenna Alignment Assembly (A4) 22 to point theElectro-Optical and Laser Range Finding unit 16 at the sUAS to allow forvisual confirmation, distance and elevation of the sUAS to be known.

The information obtained by the Laser Range Finding equipment will besent to the Azimuth and Elevation Vector Coordinate Data unit 26 whichwill send exact azimuth and elevation information to the A4 system 18controlling the Matrix Directional Transmit Antenna Array 10 via theDirection Detect and Range Estimation unit 32.

When the communications link between the subject sUAS and its' operatoris detected by the Radio Frequency (RF) detection section 103 of thesystem the information is passed through the Multiband LNA Assembly 20and through the Uplink Receive Host Workstation 24. The information isthen sent to the Spectral Signal Detect and Type Identification unit 36where the type of sUAS is determined based on a known databasecontaining Spectral Signal Wave information 36. When the Spectral SignalWave information is known the information is sent to the Frequency andWave Form Parameters unit 40 where the analyzed RF data is sent to theModulation Look Up Table 42. When the Modulation information is knownthe information is then sent to the ECM Modulation Type Select unit 38.

The selected modulation waveform is then sent to the Uplink VideoTransmitter Assembly 28 that unit works in conjunction with the ReceiveBlanking unit 30. When the Uplink Video Transmitter 28 is transmitting aradio signal the Receive Blanking unit 30 will force the DF antennae 12,14 to stop receiving the radio frequency being transmitted by the MatrixDirectional Transmit Antenna Array 10. The radio frequency selected todisrupt the communication link of the sUAS with its' operator is thentransmitted by the Transmitter Assembly 28 using the Matrix DirectionalTransmit Antenna Array 10 aimed at the sUAS 44 via the Automatic AntennaAlignment Assembly 18.

While the invention has been described with reference to certainexemplary embodiments, obvious modifications and alterations arepossible by those skilled in the related art. Therefore, it is intendedthat the invention include all such modifications and alterations to thefull extent that they come within the scope of the following claims orthe equivalents thereof.

1. A system, comprising: a first sensor comprising a radio receiverconfigured to detect radio frequency (RF) signature data based on aradio signal communicated from an unmanned aerial system target; asecond sensor configured to locate the unmanned aerial system target;and a computer processor programmed to perform operations comprising: inresponse to data from the first and second sensors, identify theunmanned aerial system target and determine whether the unmanned aerialsystem target is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) threat, andconditioned on the determination, provide instructions to a counterunmanned aerial system with navigation data to intercept and/or disablethe unmanned aerial vehicle threat.